The above table serves as a snapshot of the typical factors that impact ridership, and illustrates the differences which exist between the current month and the same month in the previous year. If a change occurred, it is categorized to represent a (typically) positive, negative or neutral impact on ridership. More details on the observed impacts are noted in the description of ridership results below. ​

​Local Network Overview

Local Bus

Monthly Total

There were 4,947K boardings in September 2018 compared to 4,953K in September 2017, a decrease of 7K boardings (or less than one percent) on local bus service. There were several factors that resulted in a ridership loss. A negative calendar mix of one fewer weekday and one more Sunday relative to the previous year a ridership loss would be expected. METRO offered limited service between September 1 and September 11, 2017 compared to full service in September 2018 a ridership gain would be expected.

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday

Average daily ridership decreased on Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday, in September 2018 compared to September 2017. Average Weekday ridership decreased by 5K boardings (or 3 percent), average Saturday ridership decreased by 22K boardings (or 15 percent) and average Sunday ridership decreased by approximately 7K (or 7 percent), in September 2018 compared to September 2017.

​Light Rail

Monthly Total

There were 1,581K boardings on all three light rail lines in September 2018 compared to 1,529K boardings in September 2017, an increase of 52K boardings (or 3 percent). Red line ridership increased by less than 1 percent, Green line ridership increased by 17 percent, and Purple line ridership increased by 17 percent in September 2018 compared to September 2017. Special events were a factor in the increase in ridership despite the negative calendar mix. Six special events were held at NRG stadium in September 2018 compared to only one in September 2017. The special events which occurred on the Red line included three concerts, one International Soccer game (Uruguay versus Mexico), and one Houston Texans game versus the Dallas Cowboys.

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday

Average Weekday ridership on the Red, Green, and Purple lines decreased by less than 1K boardings (or 2 percent), increased by less than 1K boardings (or 9 percent) and increased by slightly more than 1K boardings (or 16 percent) respectively in September 2018 compared to September 2017. Average Saturday ridership on Red line decreased by 3K boardings (or 11 percent), while Saturday ridership on the Green and Purple lines increased by less than 1K boardings (or 6 percent) and increased by less than 1K boardings (or 11 percent) respectively in September 2018 compared to September 2017. Average Sunday ridership on Red line decreased by more than 2K (or 11 percent) while average Sunday ridership on the Green increased by less than 1K boardings (or 6 percent) and increased by less than 1K boardings (or 2 percent) in September 2018 compared to September 2017 respectively.

Total Local Network

Monthly Total

There were 6,528K boardings in September 2018 compared to 6,482K in September 2017, an increase of approximately 46K boardings (or 1 percent).

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday

Average local network decreased on Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday in September 2018 compared to September 2017. Average Weekday ridership decreased by approximately 5K boardings (or 2 percent), average Saturday ridership decreased by 24K boardings (or 14 percent) and average Sunday ridership decreased by 9K boardings (or 7 percent) in September 2018 compared to September 2017.

​Commuter Network Overview

Park & Ride

Monthly Total

There were 610K Park and Ride boardings in September 2018 compared to approximately 614K boardings in September 2017, a decrease of approximately 4K boardings (or 1 percent).

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday

Average weekday ridership remained comparable in September 2018 to September 2017. Average weekday ridership decreased by less than 1K boardings (or 2 percent).

Entire Network Summary

Monthly Total

There were 7,138K boardings on the entire fixed-route network in September 2018 compared to 7,096K boardings in September 2017, an increase of 42K boardings (or 1 percent). Relevant factors were noted earlier and are included in the table above.

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday

Average daily ridership for the fixed-route network decreased Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday in September 2018 compared to September 2017. Average weekday ridership decreased by 5K boardings (or 2 percent), average Saturday ridership decreased by approximately 24K boardings (or 14 percent) and average Sunday ridership decreased by approximately 9K (or 7 percent) in September 2018 compared to September 2017.